Aramco keeps its $31bn dividend payout amid Saudi budget deficit

Generous rewards are increasingly important for the Gulf state finances

Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's energy minister, left, and Amin Nasser, chief executive officer of Saudi Aramco. Photographer: Gavin John/Bloomberg

Kateryna Kadabashy and Anthony Di Paola​​​​​​​

Aramco has kept its $31bn (€28.7bn) dividend payout to the Saudi government and other investors despite lower profits, which is a boon to the country’s economy as it struggles with a budget deficit.

The generous payouts from the world’s biggest oil exporter are becoming increasingly important for the Gulf state as crude prices remain below the levels it needs to balance its budget.